Vancouver-canucks vs Buffalo Sabres Picks and Predictions January 21st 2025

Vancouver-Canucks vs Buffalo Sabres January 21st 2025

Betting on today’s Sabres and Canucks game? Catch the action at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, BC, as the Canucks hosts this showdown at 10:00 ET on ESPN+. The over/under goal line for this matchup is currently at 6 goals, and the Canucks are favored by -1.5 vs. the Sabres.

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Buffalo vs. Vancouver Key Information

• Teams: Sabres at Canucks
• Where: Rogers Arena Vancouver
• Date: Tuesday, January 21st
• Betting Odds VAN -176 | BUF +148 O/U 6

The Sabres Can Win If…

With a 2-1 loss to the Red Wings, Buffalo’s record dropped to 17-24-5. The Sabres took an early lead, but Detroit responded with two goals in the second period.

The total was set at 6.5 goals, but the teams combined for just 3. Buffalo, as underdogs on the puck line, failed to cover.

Buffalo fired 32 shots on goal but managed just one score in their 2-1 loss to Detroit. Alex Tuch netted his 5th goal of the season, an unassisted, shorthanded effort 8:21 into the first period.

The Sabres were held without an assist and recorded 13 giveaways. They failed to score in the second and third periods after Tuch’s early goal.

Buffalo’s defense will look to bounce back after giving up two goals in the second period of their last game against the Red Wings. Both goals came on the power play, with the first at 12:11 and the second at 5:22. Goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen finished with 21 saves and a 91.3% save percentage, while the Sabres’ defense recorded 5 takeaways and 17 hits.

• The Sabres have gone 1-2 over their last three regular season games. Their record against the puck line in this stretch is 1-2 to go along with an over-under mark of 2-0-1.
• Through their last ten regular season contests, Buffalo has a record of 4-6. Their record vs the puck line sits at 5-5 in these matchups, while posting a 6-2-2 over-under mark.

The Canucks Can Win If…

Vancouver improved to 20-15-10 with a 3-2 road win over the Sharks. The Canucks were favored on the puck line, but failed to cover. The total was set at 6.5 goals, and the combined score of 5 fell short of that mark.

The Sharks took the lead in the second period, but Pius Suter tied it up for the Canucks at 5:19. Vancouver then went ahead with a goal from Jake DeBrusk in the third period. San Jose responded to tie it again, but Suter scored the game-winner with just 26 seconds left.

Pius Suter led the way for the Canucks with two goals, bringing his season total to four. He scored Vancouver’s first goal, 14:41 into the second period, and added the game-winner with just 26 seconds left. Suter was efficient, finding the net on two of his three shots on goal. Jake DeBrusk also contributed, netting his first goal of the season at 4:22 in the third period.

The Canucks took 27 shots on goal but were held scoreless in the first period. They found the net once in the second and added two more in the third. Vancouver recorded 25 giveaways in the game.

Defensively, the Canucks will look to improve after giving up the first goal of the game at 2:37 into the 2nd period and another late goal at 18:43 in the 3rd. However, Kevin Lankinen made 21 saves with a 91.3% save percentage, and the defense added 5 takeaways and 24 hits.

• Through their last three regular season contests, Vancouver has a record of 1-2. In these contests, the team went just 1-2 against the spread, while going 2-1 on the over-under.
• Vancouver has put together a record of 3-7 in their last ten games (regular season). In these matchups, they ended with an puck line record of 4-6 and an over-under mark of 4-6.

The Lean

For a moneyline pick, I’m taking the Sabres to pick up on a win over the Canucks and the road. With the moneyline sitting at +148, I’ll be locking in a bet on the Sabres straight-up.

If you’re looking to get a bet down on this matchup, we foresee the Sabres winning the underdog. However, if you’re not as confident in the Sabres straight-up, we’d still recommend placing a bet on them to cover the puck line.

For those looking at the over/under line set at 6 goals, our expectation is that this game will surpass that mark, and we suggest making a bet on the over.

Daily NHL Picks & Predictions

Canucks Look to Build Momentum Against Struggling Sabres

The Vancouver Canucks, fresh off a much-needed win, host the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday night in a clash of teams looking to find consistency.

Vancouver Canucks: Guarding Against Complacency

The Canucks (20-22-3) are coming off a 3-2 win over the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday, a game defined by a blistering start. Vancouver scored three goals in under four minutes during the first period before holding off Edmonton’s second-period rally. Despite the win, the Canucks have struggled lately, going 2-4-2 in their last eight games.

Coach Rick Tocchet emphasized the importance of staying focused: “Great game for us, but you park it. You move on. That’s what we didn’t do after the Toronto game, and it cost us.”

Vancouver’s inconsistency has been compounded by injuries and reported tensions between key players J.T. Miller and Elias Pettersson. Miller, who broke a five-game point drought with two assists on Saturday, was reportedly close to being traded before the deal fell through. Brock Boeser highlighted the need for mental toughness: “It’s hard to block out the noise, but we have to focus. That win could spark us if we learn from it.”

The Canucks sit one point out of the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference.

Buffalo Sabres: Seeking Stability

The Sabres (18-21-4) arrive in Vancouver after a 6-4 loss to the Seattle Kraken on Monday. Despite scoring first and rallying to tie the game, Buffalo surrendered a go-ahead goal less than a minute later. Coach Lindy Ruff criticized the team’s effort: “Most of their goals came from lost battles. You’re not going to win games that way.”

Buffalo appeared to turn a corner after a 13-game losing streak earlier this season, going 5-2-1 over the next eight games. However, they’ve since regressed, losing three of their last four while being outscored 17-8 in those defeats.

Jason Zucker identified the team’s recipe for success: “When we play fast and move the puck quickly, we can put teams on their heels. That’s what we need to bring against Vancouver.”

What to Watch

• For Vancouver: Can they carry momentum from their win over Edmonton and maintain focus? J.T. Miller and Elias Pettersson need to lead the way offensively.
• For Buffalo: Will the Sabres tighten up defensively and capitalize on their speed? Jason Zucker and Alex Tuch are key players to watch.

Prediction

Vancouver’s home-ice advantage and renewed focus after Saturday’s win make them slight favorites. However, Buffalo’s speed and offensive potential could pose problems if the Canucks aren’t sharp. Expect a competitive game with playoff implications for both teams.